Man charged with murder of three women found in plastic bags in Ohio

Michael Madison appears in East Cleveland Municipal Court, where he was charged with multiple counts of kidnapping and murder.

Reuters: Kim Palmer

An Ohio man has been charged with murdering three women whose bodies were found wrapped in rubbish bags in a suburb of Cleveland.

Michael Madison, 35, a registered sex offender who pleaded guilty to attempted rape in 2002, was arraigned in East Cleveland Municipal Court on three counts of kidnapping and three counts of aggravated murder - a crime that carries a maximum penalty of death - and was ordered to be held on $US6 million bail.

Madison was arrested on Friday at his mother's home, hours after the first body was discovered not far away in the garage of the apartment building where he lives.

Neighbours' complaints of a pungent smell triggered the search.

The other bodies were found in the basement of a building and a lot, and had been there for about six to 10 days, East Cleveland Mayor Gary Norton said.

"We believe if left on the streets just one hour longer, [he] may have put the lives of others in danger," Mr Norton told a press conference.